The Breakfast Grille

Gunung Capital Bhd Executive Chairman / CEO Dato' Syed Abu Hussin discusses: - Path - civil service - UMNO politics - into the transport charter business; - Mode of buying ‘transport’ assets’; - APs 0 Connections; - Five-year contract from the Ministry of Defence to supply buses to the National Service (NS) Program to December 2014; - Mode of winning the project? Whether Open Tender; - Declines in latest quarter - issues; - Drivers - skills - motivation - mentality - remuneration; - Vehicles - fleet size maintenance - running costs; - Diesel costs; - MoU with a Saudi Arabian company to jointly bid for a public bus project in Riyadh; - Renewable energy - Gunung Hydropower Sdn Bhd; - Property development - Gunung Land Sdn Bhd and Impresif Jitu Sdn Bhd, wholly owned subsidiaries; - 2010 DS Anwar Ibrahim - Parliament - beneficiary of hundreds of millions of ringgit from the Ministry of Defense - won 90 per cent of the contracts from Mindef since 2008 - answer; - Govt jobs - reliance - regime change - elections; - Consistently increasing - stake in Gunung - whether bidding war with (other majorowner) Low Bok Tek. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peder Bohlin, Managing Director of Jotun Malaysia and Regional Director of South East Asia. He discusses getting transferring the plant in Singapore to Nilai and getting the plant up and running. Peder also talks about strategies to increase market share and Jotun Malaysia's distribution strategy. He touches on how Malaysia is also Jotun’s regional hub for South East Asia R&D centre for the development of new products for Asia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kowshik Sriman, Managing Director for SAP Singapore & Malaysia discusses: --  SAP's flagship Enterprise Resource Planning solution and the current business proposition --  evolution of the company --  Singapore and Malaysia markets under his purview --  SAP's support ecosystem in Malaysia --  contribution from Singapore and Malaysia business & growth strategies --  catering to SME customers --  penetration into public sector in Malaysia --  SAP's move into cloud & mobility --  recent acquisitions and M&A trends in the software spaceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Privasia Technology Bhd MD & Founder Puvanesan Subenthiran discusses: - Westports relationship - dependence - percentage contribution; - Orderbook update; - Local expansion - KK (Sabah) and Malacca -- Details, issues - impact; - Why the focus on Sabah and Malacca, these two states in particular; - Employee issues - Low Yat forums - vitriol - importance of workforce motivation; - Hiring - competition - systems; - M&A - track record - spotty - Rentwise - Infinite QL; - Melaka Government Project - issues; - Losses - expiry Pioneer Tax status - outlook rest of year; - Coverage - (virtually invisible) - how address; - Desire a Main market transfer - but needs profit track record. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ismail Ibrahim, Chief Executive of  Iskandar Regional Development Authority, discusses: --  update on Iskandar Malaysia as it is now in its second phase --  priority sectors with the development --  meeting investment targets --  breakdown of foreign and domestic investments --  maintaining a competitive advantage --  attracting talent and reversing brain drain --  efforts and challenges in engaging stakeholders --  claims of encroachment by the Orang SeletarSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zurich Insurance Malaysia Berhad CEO Cheong Chee Meng discusses: - MAA - life and general insurance acquisition - integration process; - Price - bargain basement - issues; - Re-branding exercise -- - update - brand acceptance - issues; - Overall integration - people, processes - culture; - Malaysian insurance - Under-penetration - issues; - No Takaful business - issues; - Zurich’s goal - top five in 3-5 years - How; - Agents - strength - training - no. years in service; - Strategy: Bancassurance - SMEs - corporate clientele; - Expected growth rates - 2012; - M&A: MAA's takaful business - whether still open; - MCIS/Zurich JV - Dual ownership issue - BNM disallows - resolution - merge or sell; - Aviva-CIMB said to be keen on selling out -- issues. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this 2012 interview, Daibochi Plastic and Packaging Industry Bhd MD Thomas Lim discusses: - Food packaging segment: new clients - sales orders - R&D efforts - new product lines, higher-margin items; - Raw material prices oil prices; - Room for more gearing - whether will do so -- growth pockets - CAPEX; - Branding: perception of low quality in premium markets like Australia; - Competition; - Australia market; - Impact of ongoing consolidation of Australia’s flexible packaging industry; - Other countries - plans; - Packaging - outlook?- Non F&B business - tobacco - rubber gloves; - Property development - winding down; - Share buyback -- treasury shares; - Whether topline growth concerns - slowing global economy; - Tiny market cap, minuscule free float -- whether feels need to address; - Dividend - policy of distributing no less than 50% of Group net profit to shareholders. 2012 Expectations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federal Furniture Holdings Group Managing Director and Executive Director, Choy Wai Hin, discusses: --  Federal Furniture Holdings' main businesses of manufacturing & export, interior fit-out, and retail --  the shift in their manufacturing business model following stiff competition from China --  their biggest export market and outlook considering the global slowdown --  the problem of shortage of labour in the furniture manufacturing industry --  if the government's efforts to resolve the shortage has been successful and the impact of the levy on foreign workers --  its interior fit out division has done several mega projects like the Prime Minister's Residence, the Palace of Justice, the Melawati Palace in Putrajaya, the Alam Shah Palace in Klang --  why this division didn't do as well as the other divisions in the business --  new projects to ensure turnover for the interior fit out division --  if stiff competition in this segment means scarificing margin yields to procure projects --  how the company is returning to its roots as a furniture retailer with the brand new Kitchen Plus outlet --  the concept of Kitchen Plus, the expected demand from growing affluence in the domestic market, and competition from other brands See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ignatius Ong, CEO of FireFly, discusses: --  FireFly's ceased jet services and its sole focus on turboprop operations --  Why MAS took over FireFly’s jet ops --  If the move to cancel FireFly's jet operations was premature --  FireFly's target market as a 'community airline' --  New routes --  Plans for fleet explansion --  Increasing customer experience and satisfaction --  FireFly's fuel surcharge See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this 2012 interview, Yinson Holdings Bhd ED Lim Chern Yuan discusses: - Relative newcomer - market positioning; - Business seems good - strong Q1 numbers - sustainability; - Oil and gas: capex outlook - debt to equity ratio - expertise challenges - vessels maintenance - charter rates outlook - oil price volatility - oil major spending; - Earnings visibility - charter rates - outlook; - Vietnam issues - whether over-reliance on PetroVietnam; - Recent Lam Son deal - financial capabilities - earnings accrual - ongoing challenges - timeframe to profit; - Transport business: asset sales - exposure to diesel prices - cost pass throughs - exposure to dismantling of fuel subsidies; - Trading business: - thin margins - outlook - big receivables; - Dividend policy - governance issues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winnie Loo, the founder and chief creative director of 'A Cut Above' group of salons & academy She discusses: -- Her humble beginnings, starting out the business with only a tiny salon in KL -- Her family's reaction when she told them you wanted to pursue a career in hairdressing -- The business: the ubiquitous A Cut Above salons, the Re:Style studios and the X-Cut chain -- Expansion plans: New stores, possibility of standalones -- Keeping full ownership of the business -- Society's perception of working as a hairdresser -- Biggest challenges in building the business for 33 years -- Keeping ideas and hair trends fresh, where she gets her inspirationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this 2012 interview, Charlie Oropeza, CEO of Prudential Assurance Malaysia Bhd, discusses: - Branches - employees - agents - Wealth Planners - update and outlook; - Business update; - HQ - pressure - Prudential’s Asian business - biggest contributor - group; - General outlook - Malaysian insurance landscape - growth drivers; - Demographic - races - breakdown; - Sales strategy - Bumi - Indians - Chinese markets; - Regional markets - Indo - SG - comparatives - approach; - Claims ratios - issues; - Claims administration - mortality - morbidity - issues; - Malaysia new business profit growth rates - compared to Asia - US and UK; - Liquidity - disposable income - Private Retirement Scheme; - Central Bank - industry consolidation - Prudential - M&A - issues; - Reports - Prudential - keen - life insurance JV between CIMB and Aviva; - Share allocations - governance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid, CEO of MRT Corp discusses: -- the estimated cost of the MRT project -- an update on the current progress of construction works -- the Project Delivery Partner (PDP) agreement with MMC-Gamuda -- the final route alignment -- the possibility of accepting the realignment proposed by the Jalan Sultan stakeholders -- an update on the situation with the Jalan Sultan landowners agreement -- the safety of buildings at Jalan Sultan during tunneling works -- the possibility of distruption of business and community activity at Jalan Sultan and surrounding areas during construction work -- the potential impact on heritage and historical buildings at Jalan Sultan, Petaling Street as well as the Bukit Bintang area -- MRT Corp's rationale for the redesign of the station at BB plaza -- how MRT Corp is managing public engagement & consultation -- allegations of favouritism in the tender process -- and finally, what he brings to the table as CEO of MRT CorpSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tariq Ramadan, Professor of Contemporary Islamic Studies at the Oxford University and the author of The Arab Awakening: Islam and the New Middle East. He discusses: --  just how Islamic are the mass movements across the Middle East --  why he refuses to refer to the uprisings as the 'Arab Spring' --  that Western countries were involved in training the cyber-dissidents, while at the same point in time allies of the very same governments --  if the uprisings caught him by surprise, as it did most of the world --  howto reconcile the role of Islam, Islamists, Secularism and Politcs --  the real socio-political change that needs to take place: in education, equality, women's rights, social justice --  the Muslim Brotherhood and what kind of Islamist rulers will they be for Egypt --  why he is not a member of the Brotherhood, which was founded by his grandfather --  the way forward for the Arab worldSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chery Automobile Malaysia CEO Paul Ng discusses: - Auto industry as a ‘strategic industry’ - - local partner - (BSA MAlaysia's) Tan Sri Cam Soh Thiam Hong - LTAT; - Details on Chery’s history in Malaysia; - Partners' value - insights car industry - expectations - exit plans - IPO; - Current revenues - target production - outlook; - Investments - capex spending - 250 million ringgit plant - whether to be spent in Malaysia or Indonesia; - Political issues - APs - location (Pekan? Klang preferred) - the need for government support - LTAT's role; - Appeal of Malaysia-Indonesia-Thailand as a combined 2.2m unit/yr market - what's at stake; - Local market share - issues; - Buyer apprehension over:a. Qualityb. Residualsc. Reliabilityd. Imagee. Copycat stigma- A&P efforts - strategy; - Showrooms - sales and service centres - strategy; - National Automotive Policy - AP dismantling - expectations; - Intellectual property challenges.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this 2012 interview, Padini Holdings Bhd Executive Director Chan Kwai Heng discusses: - Padini - vision statement .. "to be the best fashion company ever”; - Design - trend spotting - mechanics; - Manufacturing - quality matters - outsourced - issues; - Fashion - snobby - value chain - Vincci Plus - problems - issues; - A&P - Branding - spend - typical ratio - trend details; - A&P - spend avenues - effectiveness; - Demand - sentiment - outlook; - Store openings - rollouts - capex - staffing; - Raw materials - Indian cotton ban - price outlook - volatility - buying forward; - Inventory Levels; - Competition - pros and cons; - Dividend policy - net profit expectations - bullish outlook statement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How will Scoot, the new low cost, medium/long haul carrier backed by Singapore Airlines give AirAsia X and Jetstar a run for their money? Interview with Campbell Wilson, the CEO of Scoot.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

HTC Corporation President of South Asia Pacific Lennard Hoornik discusses: - Expectations - achievements since leaving Sony Ericsson; - Applying turnaround skills @ HTC; - Telco - cut throat; - “short-term difficulties” - new launches - issues; - Profits warnings; - Competition: Samsung - Apple; - Marketing - Distribution - channel - deficiencies? - Patent lawsuits - implications - commercial harm; - HTC CEO Peter Chou - "breakthroughs in both the Chinese and Japanese markets that will help Asia overtake the US as HTC’s biggest market this year" - details; - HTC - South Asia market share; - Malaysia position - drivers; - HTC: (seen as) very little gloss, glamour - “quietly brilliant” whether appropriate - given importance marketing; - Positioning: low-to-medium end appears to have failed; - Slow - Ice Cream sandwich: Google phones 12 months ahead - HTC appears always playing catch up; - Jellybean: expected mid this year -- how long will HTC take before it rolls out a version; - Samsung - family dispute - whether instructive; - Whether allow - claw back market share.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tan Kien Eng, CEO of Leo Burnett Group Malaysia & Singapore discusses: -- the HumanKind philosophy at the heart of Leo Burnett Group -- its numerous industry accolades -- Yasmin Ahmad's legacy -- The talent shortage in the industry -- Its efforts to become the employer of choice -- Creative brain drain to 'mature' advertising markets -- The pressure for fresh creative ideas -- If the industry has become too award-centric -- How size matters in the avertising gameSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fortis Healthcare CEO Vishal Bali discusses: - India - conducive elements for health care; - Indian plans to become regional medical destination - chances of, challenges to; - Comparing and contrasting IHH, whose footprint is Singapore and Malaysia. Their India interest is an associate stake in Apollo, which is the biggest in India; - Regional plans - investments - targets - countries- dynamics; - Singapore demand dynamics; - Malaysia demand dynamics; - Singapore IPO - timeline - amounts sought - details; - Plans for proceeds; - IHH IPO - discussion; - Whether IHH IPO will sap liquidity from Singapore IPO; - Battle for talent: healthcare management, doctors - patients - issues. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pulitzer Prize-winner Daniel Yergin discusses his book "The Quest: Energy, Security, and the Remaking of the Modern World" He talks about: -- Important changes that have shaped the landscape of the energy industry -- Threats to energy security -- The Peak Oil debate -- Growth of shale gas and the impact of fracking -- The electricity generation industry -- The growing role of natural gas -- Nuclear energy, post-Fukushima -- Renewable energy in the energy mix -- Efficiency as the fifth fuel -- Impact of energy industry on climate change To learn more about Daniel Yergin, his books, and his thoughts on the energy industry, please visit danielyergin.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this 2012 interview, F&N CEO Dato' Ng Jui Sia discusses: - The loss of Coke - September 2011 - progress - planning for future; - Whether F&N is in for a “massive restructuring” (as he did for the Malaysian soft drinks business over a 6-year period from 2000 - 2006); - Competition - Coke - spent nearly a billion ringgit to build their own 30-acre plant in Nilai to sell Coke and Sprite on their own; - Strategies: other franchises - expanding soft drinks portfolio; - Marketing - strategy - ad spend - mediums; - Dairies - Malaysia - Update; - Reasons --- continuous revenue decline in past three quarters; - Raw materials costs rising - hedging - outlook - issues; - Pulau Indah plant -- scheduled for commissioning 2H 2012 - whether on track; - Implications: production, earnings, staffing; - Green attributes - whether translation to bottom-lines, cost-savings due the water and energy conservation; - Dairies Thailand - floods - timeline - return to pre-flood levels; - Property gain - PJ Section 13 land - launch - GDV; - Financial issues - capital expenditure - dividends - outlook - special dividends.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this 2012 interview, Dato' Seri Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa, Group Chief Executive Officer, Telekom Malaysia Bhd, discusses: - The Unifi / broadband business: customer base - installation coverage - take-up rates - Streamyx migration - milestones - deliverables - required capex; - Competition - Maxis - aggressive promotions - cheaper and faster products despite riding on TM's network - reasons; - Whether price war brewing - FTTH; - ARPU update - Unifi customers on the cheapest package - strategy; - Compelling users to sign up for paid channels to raise ARPU - update - HyppTV issues - content grab - 'Triple Play' issues; - Speeds - prices - regional perspective; - General issues: Opex spend - outlook - marketing spend - mediums; - Fixed line growth - reasons - pockets of expansion - details; - MCMC - Request For Proposal - Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting (DTTB) system - submissions due July 25 - business case - capex needs; - Spectrum - Competition from 4G/LTE; - Capital Management - dividends visibility; - Looking beyond data - next growth driver beyond Unifi - ICT/BPO - cloud computing and managed services to enterprises; - Governance issues - CEO remuneration - salary benchmarking - performance.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this 2012 interview, Metro Kajang Holdings Bhd MD/ED Datuk Eddy Chen Lok Loi discusses: - Re-branding - reasons - whether lived up to expectations; - The "internationalisation" of the business; - Becoming Shariah-compliant - why - implications - benefits; - Busines lines - property development, investment, construction, palm oil, furniture manufacturing - valuation issues; - Property development projects - rollout - pipeline - positioning - prices - demand outlook - rates regime, outlook; - REHDA Issues - water availability - Selangor and W.P. - land grab - implications; - LTVR - BNM tightening - issues; - Furniture Manufacturing - plans for sale - issues; - Oil Palm Plantation - yields - contribution outlook - - Liquidity issues - exercises.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Top Glove Corporation Bhd MD KM Lee discusses: - Recent purchase of 30,000 ha of greenfield rubber plantations; - Use of hedging or other financial instruments - address price variability; - Whether longer-term plan to buy even more land to plant rubber; - Time to fruiting - time to supply meaningful portion - latex needs; - Expertise - challenges; - Costs management; - Rubber prices - hedging - quantum of needs bought forward - price; - Impact - current price environment - fiscal 2012 earnings; - Consensus estimates - fiscal 2012 - guidance; - Nitrile - adoption - M&A; - Supply and price strategies - whether market is still as responsive to cost fluctuations; - Natural gas - needs; - Higher Energy Prices - New Gas Service Agreement with Petronas - Elections Delaying Revision in Energy Prices; - Removal of fuel subsidies - impact - migration to cheaper sources; - Human Capital - issues - R&D emphasis - Malaysia deficiency - strategy; - Minimum Wage - impact on operations; - Overall state and health of global market; - Production - utilisation rates - capacity - outlook for additional capacity - plant rollout plan; - Prices - outlook - drivers - competition from China and price pressure in 2H; - Currency - USD/MYR Appreciation - impact; - Dividends - capital management - issues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Continental Tires Malaysia Sdn Bhd CEO Benoit Henry discusses: - May acquisition by Continental AG, of the remaining 30 per cent stake it didn’t already own in Continental Sime Tyre Sdn Bhd from joint venture partner Sime Darby; - Whether amicable - price paid for the stake; - 100 per cent foreign ownership - whether allowed; - First ASEAN office - in a rubber-producing country - proposition today; - Other issues: education - staff quality - 'lack of ambition' - mobility - 'taking a risk'; - Reliance on rubber - weather patterns - unpredictable fuel costs and labor shortages - extreme price volatility in rubber supplies - strategy; - Rubber prices heading downwards since March - whether reflection of waning global demand - factors; - Rubber substitutes - proportion used in relation to natural rubber - long-term adoption - state of technology - safety / performance issues; - Regional - International market- issues; - Tiremakers - Michelin - Pirelli - yourselves - outperforming market generally as well as Europe’s automotive sector - reasons - factors; - Local operations - issues - demand for highly-skilled workers - staffing - extent of operations - amount invested - quantum of future investment - value chain - outlook; - German manufacturing - expertise - R&D - whether consider Asia-based R&D in future; - Emphasis on human capital; - New technologies: level of progress - time to commercialisation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pua Khein-Seng, Chairmain & CEO of Taiwanese manufacturer of controllers for NAND flash memory chips, Phison Electronics. He discusses growing up in Sekichan, Selangor and his journey to becoming the CEO leading one of the leading players in the flash drive business in Taiwan. He also talks about the outlook for NAND flash prices, and if the market for memory cards and drives is already saturated. Phua gives us an update on setting up operations in Penang and why he chose to set up a branch of his business in Malaysia, instead of China.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Legras & Haas Champagne Brand Ambassador Jerome LeGras discusses: - Relatively new entrant - withstanding financial crises; - State of wine and champagne markets; - Demand from emerging markets; - Luxury habits - Asia; - Basing vineyards in France - necessity - issues; - Family business - three sons issues; - European - family business dynasties - secret sauce; - Legras clan - conflicts - resolution - management insights; - Weather - Branding - Production; - French and European politics - issues. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Google Malaysia Country Head, Sajith Sivanandan, discusses: --  the global structure of the company and the Malaysia business --  significance of Malaysia as a market --  engagement on Google sites --  active users on Google Plus  --  if Google's average "cost per click" is on a downward trend --  mobile advertising --  why some of Google products are not supported in Malaysia, e.g Google Play --  content partnerships for YouTube Malaysia --  Google's response to the the conversial Evidence Act --  Google's big unveiling of its Nexus 7 tablet and Google Glass --  And finally, find out what it's like to work at a place crowned as Fortune's Best Companies to Work For in the USSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this 2012 interview, Khind Holdings Group CEO Cheng Ping Keat discusses: - Journey from electrical repair shop in Sekinchan to reseller to brand owner; - Main challenge along the way; - Consumer appliances - outlook - 2012; - Move into premium home appliances - prospects - discussion;  - Singapore market impact; - Industrial appliances - prospects - pricing - margins - revenue contribution; - Renewable energy solutions - prospects - investment needed - product lines - rollout plans; - Foreign markets - Middle East - other frontier markets issues; - Currency - USD/MYR - volatility - issues; - Uncertainty - general elections - issues; - Free Trade Agreements - Europe - USA - China: impacts; - Branding - A&P - suffers - conservative image - lack affinity - younger, trendier generation; - A&P spend - issues; - Branding strategy; - Competition - ferocious - local players (Pensonic) - Japanese brands (Panasonic and KDK), - upper-range brands like Dyson - issues; - Profit and revenue growth - outlook; - Margins - outlook; - Investment - coverage -lack of; - Trading - below NTA / share of RM2.05 - issues; - Dividend policy; - Plans to increase coverage, liquidity - whether family to part with some of its shares.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this 2012 interview, Prestariang Founder & CEO Dr. Abu Hasan Ismail discusses: - Life as a listed company; - Software licensing business - projects pipeline; - Outlook for margins - software trading; - Certification and training business - margins - demand - jobs pipeline; - Plans for in-house developed certifications - owned I.P.; - In-house titles - 75:25 revenue ratio - outlook; - Computing University - impact on earnings; - Diversification from contract income; - NEDs - Dato Loy Teik Ngan of Taylor’s College - speculation - tieup; - Financial needs of University - impact - ‘capex light - strong cash generator’ - stance; - Prestariang - education play versus a technology play; - Impact - approach - investment community - management of the business; See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AIG Global Services Malaysia Chief Representative of AIG Malaysia, Matt Harris discusses: - Broad overview - update - business - focus areas - since last interview; - Agency workforce - Geographical distribution - age - duration as agent - expertise - professionalism; - The ‘Barbecue Test’; - 27 licensed general insurance companies - competition - how address; - Chartis’ ranking by premiums underwritten - whether size a focus; - -Malaysia tariff rating structure — set price and set style of product features and benefits -- how differentiate;  - Travel insurance - recent decision MATTA - mandatory travel insurance - impact; - Motor biggest component - whether business be slowing - tighter lending guidelines; - How address - slowdown; - Motor Insurance - claims ratios; - Motor insurance rates -- unrevised for >30 years - Developments; - Rates generally - trend in Malaysia generally - factors - BNM regulation; - Contrast - US business insurance rates; - Investment - AUMs - Equity - Bonds - Cash - levels; - Investment income - trend; - IT and application software solutions - AIG’s operations around the world - People - additional investment - challenges: human capital; - Promoting long-time staff Soo Wai Har to Deputy CEO - implications - spare time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asiasons Capital Group MD/Co-founder Datuk Jared Lim discusses: - Founding Asiasons with Datuk Mohammed Azlan Hashim and chartered accountant Ng Teck Wah back in 2007;- How the group got together - age and cultural differences - circumstances; - Investment focus - themes - focus; - Timeframe for exit - prefered routes; - Originating ideas: how, typically; - Performance - historically; - Differentiators; - Described Malaysia as a “hotbed of business innovation” - details; - “Active discussions” with several Malaysian companies that it might want to invest in - Insights; - Deal competition; - Capital raising - issues; - Successes - Failures; - Branding, Design and New Economy strategies - rationale - skills - staffing; - Asiasons WFG-- or forrmerly Westcomb financial group -- investment advisory; - Whether background in listing S-Chips - hurt Asiasons' reputation; - Cambridge-educated son of Malaysia’s former Finance Minister, Tun Daim -Dato Wira Dani Daim - Chairman & Non-Executive Director of Asiasons WFG - implications; - portfolio: Chaswood - NV - Hi5 - rationale - competition - assets; - Details - deal flow ; - Personal - wife - Dian Lee - Country Heights - co-founder of Cleawater - boutique developer - TS Lee Kim Yew - implications. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AirAsia Malaysia CEO Aireen Omar discusses: - Appointment - AirAsia Malaysia CEO - shell-shocked - Oscar moment - insights; - KPIs - targets; - Costs management; - 'Low Cost' - attacked as not cheap - issues; - Load factors - ASKs - delays - issues; - ‘Big shoe to fill’ - marketing - Tony Fernandes a 'natural' - free publicity - the Aireen Omar way; - Tony - detractors - brilliant job - masking the unhappy landings - AirAsia aircraft - through the years - “near invisibility of Malaysia media reporting - issues; - Marketing - Twitter - Social Media - policy - what's within limits - what’s off-limits; - MAS - CCF - share swap un-bundling - issues; - Malaysia Airports = feud - Landing charges - updates; - Aircraft purchases - deliveries - ‘staying ahead of the curve’ - complicated rates - insights - details; - Use of fleet - demand patterns - expansion - details; - Oil prices - Jet kero - outlook - hedging .. details; - Jet kero - spread to Brent; - Marketing - void - learning curve; - Tony - JKT - issues - management structure - implications.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this 2012 interview, Volvo Cars Malaysia President Goran Larsson, discusses: - Clarifies global structure - Malaysia proposition;- Ownership - complex - issues; - Sales - support - issues; - Current situation - after-sales and support - marketing; - KL - regional office - roles - staffing - revenues and contributions; - Car sales outlook - drivers; - Branding - marketing - budget (as percentage of revenue) - most effective channels; - Perceived - low - brand equity among luxury models - branding - compared to Audi - BMW - Mercedes; - Pricing - seems in-line with the German triumvirate - usu 3-5 per cent lower - whether effective; - Jeremy Lin - positioning - reasons - insights - details- Loan financing - tighter guidelines - BMW 1.88% - subsidise interest rates; - Volvo financing- National Auto Policy - expectations; - How ASEAN business units plug into and help with the push into China; - Developing cars specifically for Asian buyer - details; - China proposition. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Rozario, CEO of the National Innovation Agency or Agensi Inovasi Malaysia (AIM) discusses:  --  AIM's mandate to narrow the gap between innovators and industry --  The difference between AIM and the Special Innovations Unit (Unit Innovasi Khas) as well as Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation (MOSTI) --  If something as fluid and conceptual and serendipitous as innovation be led by a system as structured and as rigid as a government --  Creating an innovative culture --  Developing the innovation eco-system for Malaysia, e.g the education system, universities, the private sector, etc --  Education system: What can be done to teach children to think critically and AIM's iThink programme --  AIM's 42 Innovation Business Opportunities -- how many have been take up so far -- the bidding & award process  --  AIM's mandate to make equity investments in innovations stuck in 'the valley of death'See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our Father's Day Special on the Breakfast Grille: Andrew Reddy, Managing Director of restaurant operators Chaswood Resources, and his son Nicol Reddy, the Director of Operations. Chaswood operates 13 brands including T.G.I. Friday's and Watami. It also owns and operates proprietary brands like Italiannies, The Apartment, Market Hall, Bedroom, Teh Tarik Place, Baci Italian Café, Republic, Malones and Laundry.  Andrew & Nicol discuss: -- their start in the F&B business -- the move towards Asian F&B brands with the acquisition of the franchise rights to Watami, Bulgogi Brothers and Paradise Dynasty -- if the food business is recession-proof -- if rising cost of living has impacted dining choices esp with the mid-tier restaurants -- the franchising model of Teh Tarik Place -- competition from local warungs and mamak places -- update on stores and goals for expansion -- why looking at Thailand and Indonesia markets -- dangers of expanding too fast -- achieving consistency across all stores -- staffing challenges -- why Chaswood chose to list in Singapore instead of Malaysia -- the family dynamic at work & succession plans -- their advice to other entrepreneurs who work with their family membersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

RHB Capital Bhd Group Managing Director Kellee Kam discusses: - Declining Net Interest Margins - escalating overheads - management’s two main areas of focus - 2012 - strategy; - Operating expenses - personnel costs - staff retention expenses - alignment of salaries; - Cost/income ratios - outlook - growth - future; - Loan growth of >12% - target - 2012 - details; - Non-fee business - IPO pipeline - RHB’s proposition - muscled out - CIMB-MBB; - OSK Merger; - Tan Sri Ong Leong Huat - dealings - insights; - Ong family to be 10 per cent owner in RHB Capital going forward - implications; - Implications - broking fees - earnings; - Longer-term goal - 40% of profits overseas from just 10% currently;- OSK - assimilation - people - process - integration; - Indonesia - Mestika - issues - foreign stake reductions - insights; - Target - completion by mid-2012; - Earnings implications - ROE guidance; - RHB Capital as a target - EPF as 44 per cent owner - CIMB-Maybank bidding war - whether the OSK purchase was designed to fend off acquirors; - Aabar stake - 25 per cent  -- bought at 10.80 ringgit a share - - whether rules out stake sale; - Rumours - Jho Low involved - bidding war between CIMB and Maybank; - Sense - whether Aabar willing to re-enter the fray by lowering its price; - Appetite for more M&A: details; - Financial wherewithal; - Govt - liberalisation - foreign stakes - insight; - Quick promotion - RHB Group - climbing the pole; - Remuneration - fraction of Maybank Dato Wahid’s 2-3 million ringgit and DS Nazir’s 14 million ringgit - details; See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Al Chalabi, author of 'Cracking the Code: Understand and Profit from the Biotech Revolution that will Transform Our Lives and Generate Fortunes' discusses: -- Breakthroughs in emerging bio-technology will enhance the quality and length of human life. In the future, it is expected that we are able to live longer and healthier -- Early adopters and believers of biopharma can make a lot of money -- Two core themes of the book: HEALTH & WEALTH -- He explains the process of drug discovery and how that might be changing -- The shift in dynamics between Big Pharma vs Biopharma -- The book also gives you tips on which areas to be positioned in, what to look for in companies in the bio and life sciences field, and the scope of market opportunities in the therapeutic areas and in regions of the worldSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gary Hamel, noted business thinker and author of the book 'What Matters Now' discusses: -- The five challenges that MATTER NOW in determining if an organization thrive or dives -- the need for a "moral renaissance" in capitalism -- how to create a 'new'type of capitalism -- one that is more conscientious, accountable, noble, etc -- case studies of successful manangement models, e.g. Gore-Tex maker W.L. Gore; Morning Star; etcSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Exim Bank CEO/MD Dato' Adissadikin bin Ali discusses: - Purpose - who it reports to funding sources; - Cost of funds; - Contrast with conventional lenders - differences; - MoF - ‘special share’ - implications - details -- "phone calls from above"; - Accountability - EXIM's biggest deals; - Details of clients -- GLCs - percentage of overall client base - value terms; - AR 2011 - ‘tighter lending criteria’ - ‘more robust risk management framework’ - before and after situation; - Reports of "weaknesses in loans management";  - ‘Building a quality asset portfolio’; - Transformation Plan - 4th year - progress; - Exposure - overseas project financing: which projects and identity of the biggest clients; - NPLs: 2012 Update; - For 2011: Of 1.99 billion ringgit in loans, advances and financing, 880 million ringgit was bad i.e. 44 per cent of loans outstanding - reasons - recoverability - issues; - Reason for high default rate; - Recovery plan - details; - NPL target - 2012; - Business focus on “non-traditional markets” -- details.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James Wong, Executive Director of HDD components maker, JCY International.  He discusses: -- his outlook on the average selling price of HDD components, which rose by 20% as a result of supply shortage after most manufacturing facilities were destroyed during the floods. --  JCY's stellar financial results and if they can sustain the growth --  possibility of JCY's current clients returning to their original vendors when its competitors' operations are fully restored --  plans for their RM300mil in cash  --  update on their second factory in Suzhou, China --  Outlook for overall HDD demand, given that there has been a shift in consumer preference towards tablets and ultrabook --  the threat of Solid State Drives (SSD) as it continues to close the price gap --  how the minimum wage policy will impact JCY's business --  direction for the future and if there are any plans to diversifySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following major discoveries of shale gas reserves in the US, it is estimated that natural gas will overtake coal and become the second most widely used source of energy by 2025. Shell worldwide is also expected to produce more gas than oil this year. This is said to be to be the golden age for gas. But there are environmental concerns, for example, France has banned fracking, an activity in shale gas exploration. Dick Benschop, the President-Director of Shell Netherlands and Vice President of Gas Market Development addresses these issues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Shane Oliver, Chief Economist and Head of Investment Strategy at AMP Capital in Sydney, discusses: - ECB holding holding key interest rate unchanged; - Whether Fed or ECB will move first on Eurozone; - Fed comments - beige book - chances - QE3; - QE3 options - shape and form; - Aussie GDP - up twice as much as forecast - views;- Equities strategy - deep discounts - outlook. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NagaCorp Ltd CFO/ED Philip Lee discusses: - Casino licence - granted - Royal Government of Cambodia - rights - 70 - exclusivity; - Country issues - land rights - legislative and regulatory infrastructure - flaws - Cambodian legal system - uncertainty - foreign investment rules; - 3rd - worst on corruption perception index - globally - issues; - Tourism - No.2 income generator - sensitive to economic downturns and cost increases - implications; - Floods - concerns; - Slow development of capital markets - bank lending remains conservative;- Cambodia stock exchange - just launched - whether join; - Corporate governance - concerns - founder Tan Sri Chen Lip Keong - - pledge of Nagacorp shares as security - forced sale - future - issues; - Earlier concerns - listing plans HK - Singapore - rejected - whether addressed; - Sister Malaysia companies - Karambunai - Petaling Tin - synergies; - Analysts recommendations - discount valuation - country risk - issues; - Lifespan - licence - concerns expiry - competition upon expiry; - Positioning - poor man’s casino - VIP revenue growth; - Margins - 70 per cent-odd - sustainability; - Revenue growth - expectations. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NAVIS Capital Partners, Co-founder & Managing Partner, Nicholas Bloy discusses: - Navis positioning - private equity investments - buyouts - recapitalisations - financial restructurings - South and Southeast Asia focus - deals done - performance; - Ideas generation - due dilligence - negotiations - purchase; - Qualifying criteria; - Target sectors; - Losing bidder - France’s Casino - Carrefour Thailand - experience; - Benefits - acquiree; - Funding - stake size - staffing - skills sought - demographic profile of staff - BCG network - importance; - Fund size- Capital raising - issues; - Investment promise: returns - timeframe - loss risk; - Exits - 5 deals from 2006 - 8 from 2007 - current situation - exit challenges; - SeGi - issues - minorities can ‘take it or leave it’ attitude - corporate governance: impediment to dealmaking, ventures; - Public versus private equity; - Appetite sectors - companies; - Myanmar views; - Views - EMs generally; - Current conditions - pulled IPOs - 'risk off' phenomenon; - Southeast Asian common market - advocate - details; - Global politics - Mitt Romney - 'financial guy' - Bain Capital - advocates - protectors 1 per cent - right wing politics - Republicans; - Navis within SEA - political alignment - importance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this 2012 interview, Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd MD Soren Ravn discusses: - Q1 earnings - expectations - rest of year; - Market share update; - Update - performance - luxury beer brands - Asahi - Kronenburg 1664; - Raw material costs; - Group EBITDA margin - update; - Outlook - prices increases this FY;- Outlook for malt - marketing - distribution costs this FY; - Singapore - contribution - dropping - details - outlook; - Strategies to address; - Whether needs to spend more time - Singapore; - Dividend policy; - Expected payout this year; - Prime Minister - budget - Sept 28 -- expectations, wish list; - Fear - UMNO - “give up” - Chinese vote - focus Malay rights - repercussions; - Effect on marketing - Positioning; - Implications - licensing, taxes, publicity; - Global recession - impact; - Russia - issues - 40 per cent of total group sales - political changes - Malaysia read-across; - Russia - issues - pressure on Carlsberg’s profitable regions to channel more profits HQ’s way; - Ambassadors  - Peter Schmeichel - quantifying his value.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dutch Lady MIlk industries Bhd Managing Director Rahul Colaco discusses: - Ascended from Marketing Director to MD  - new business plan;- Marketing - core expertise - skills to top table;- Raw Material - costs - update;- Record pre-tax profits - “highly effective promotions” - marketing campaigns - details - outlook;- Fresh campaigns - details;- Ability to pass on price increases to customers;- Outlook - whether - price increases this year;- Sugar reduction campaign - details;- Board expectations - 2012;- Dividends - policy - yields;- Cash @ end 2011: 193 million ringgit more than twice the 86 million ringgit a year ago - plans; - Plans - capex - factory - facilities; - 64 million share capital - sma;; - heavy share price at 33 bucks - Plans to split - Increase share capital; - YHS privatisation - views. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the Breakfast Grille, His Excellency Vincent Piket, European Union Ambassador to Malaysia, discusses: -- the situation in the Eurozone: if European unity is on the rocks -- likelihood of Greece leaving the Euro -- The growth vs austerity debate -- trade with Malaysia: growth targets -- Malaysia's aim to move up the value chain to become a high-income nation -- an update on the Malaysia-EU Free Trade Agreement -- the EU's stand on government procurement, palm oil sustainibility, etc -- work on the Partnership & Cooperation Agreement (PCA) -- EU's relationship with MyanmarSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will China become the next superpower of the world? What will that world look like? On the Breakfast Grille, Martin Jacques, author of "When China Rules the World" discusses: -- What he means by "contested modernity". For over two hundred years we have lived in a western-made world, one where the very notion of being modern was synonymous with being western. But Jacques argues that the twenty-first century will be different: the west will no longer be dominant and there will be many ways of being modern.In this new era of ‘contested modernity’ the central player will be China. -- China’s impact on the world will not simply be economic; it will also have profound political, cultural and ideological effects  -- The Chinese state is very different from the western state: it has existed for over two thousand years, for over a millennium it has had no competitors (e.g. church, merchants) nor limits to its power; it is regarded with reverence and deference by the Chinese as the guardian and protector of Chinese civilization  -- At its core, China is a civilization-state rather than a nation-state -- he says its the Chinese civilization and culture is what binds its ppl together -- not borders or the idea of being from one country -- The Chinese have a deep and living sense of their own culture and civilization which they regard as superior to all others -- Jacques makes the argument that racism is deeply embedded in the Chinese psyche – that there is a pervasive belief in Han Chinese superiority.  -- He also talks about the emotional hardships he suffered in his personal life whilst writing this chapter, and if it had coloured the observations he made in the book -- Jacques also touches on Sino-American relations: With the US presidential campaigns this year, its triggered a new round of China bashing. Is this just politicking or will there be significant impact on bilateral ties and the rest of the worldSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.